Alcantara Snaps Winless Streak, Velocity Concerns Linger

Sandy Alcantara secured his first victory in 18 months, a 4-2 win for the Marlins over the Mets, though his performance wasn't typical of his dominant form. While Alcantara expressed feeling mentally and physically sound, he acknowledged needing more recovery time between starts. Despite the win, his fastball velocity was notably lower than his previous outings. His average four-seam fastball clocked in at 96.2 mph, significantly down from his Spring Training speeds, where he hit triple digits, and his Opening Day average of 98.2 mph. His maximum velocity also decreased, reaching 98.3 mph compared to 99.8 mph in his first start. While Alcantara and the Marlins celebrated the win, the dip in velocity raises questions about his overall health and potential long-term performance.